The firestorm that hit Southern California in January sparked several devastating fires.
The Palisades and Eaton fires leveled whole neighborhoods and killed more than two dozen people. Now the recovery is underway — with questions about insurance, renting, politics and the future top of mind.
LAist has the resources and coverage you need to keep up to date on the fires' aftermath, as well as the recovery.
FINAL DAMAGES
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Palisades Fire
- Acreage: 23,448 acres | Containment: 100%
- Structures damaged or destroyed: 5,000 estimated destroyed, about 700 damaged | Dead: 12
Eaton Fire
- Acreage: 14,021 | Containment: 100%
- Structures damaged or destroyed: some 9,400 destroyed, more than 1,000 damaged | Deaths: 18
What's next for housing
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Residents now have until April 15 to sign up for the government's free debris removal program. The program now includes condos, not just single-family homes. -
The Zone Zero regulations on defensible space would apply to trees, potted plants, fences and other items that can catch embers and ignite.
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The new guidance contradicts earlier statements from a city official who said tenants were on the hook for post-fire decontamination inside their own units.
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With building contractors in hot demand, the state licensing board is offering tips on how to find a reputable contractor.
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California is one of the few states with building codes for wildfire protection because using fire-resistant materials helps homes survive.
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The first properties in the Palisades Fire burn area, where multi-million dollar homes once stood, are being put on the market.
What to know about insurance
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As FEMA extends deadline to sign up for free debris removal, we explain different steps of the process.
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We've got tips for navigating insurance claims in the wake of the Eaton and Palisades fires … without losing your mind.
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Most residents of middle-class Altadena could get fire insurance, but that is likely to change as residents rebuild and face price hikes.
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Here are some common mistakes or misconceptions you may run into.
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We have tips from California's insurance commissioner on how to contact the state and start the claims process, and how to keep you and your loved ones from falling for scams.
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The current fires are on track to become one of the most costly disasters in California history. That could threaten the stability of California's insurance market and make housing costs go up even more.
Do you have a question about the wildfires or fire recovery?
Check out LAist.com/FireFAQs to see if your question has already been answered. If not, submit your questions here, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.
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Key resources
If you have a question about the firestorm, let the LAist newsroom know.
Stay informed: Fact checks
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Let us help you separate fact from fiction.
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After thousands of homes were destroyed, many are looking for ways to make Los Angeles safer from wildfires.Listen • 3:40
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Air quality experts and advocates warn of the potential dangers of smoke, ash and soot.
Don't miss our award-winning podcast
As the world enters a new age of wildfires, science reporter Jacob Margolis dives deep into personal stories that illuminate the history of how we got here, why we keep screwing things up, and what we can do to survive and maybe even thrive while the world around us burns.
Latest news
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The Pasadena-based Greenline Housing Foundation is the first community organization to close on an Eaton Fire lot. -
Eaton Fire survivors gather for food supplies and community building at an “Altadena Not For Sale” rally on Saturday
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Two thousand property owners still need to make a decision, according to L.A. County Public Works.
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Palisades Charter High School plans to temporarily move students to a former Santa Monica department store while elementary students share campuses.
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CalFire's Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, published Monday for Southern California, show fire hazard creeping farther into some the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica and even West Hollywood.
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Karen Bass' order directs multiple city departments to create plans to expedite rebuilding with wildfire resilience in mind.
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Also, we tell you how to avoid a nasty surprise when you get a big bill for cleanup. The trick is to save your receipts.
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Affected residents have until 5 p.m. on March 12 to apply for assistance from three major funds.
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For Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, approving an emergency 22% rate hike request by State Farm would raise bills for millions of Californians. Not approving it could imperil the state's home insurance market.
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Fire investigators have not found Edison responsible for the Eaton Fire — but mounting lawsuits heighten concerns about its potential liability for the deadliest and most destructive blaze since the state created a fund to prevent wildfires from bankrupting utilities.
